Co-interpreting training for deaf-hearing teams

Join us for a practical session where deaf and hearing sign language interpreters team up to sharpen their skills together.

Physical Training: Co-Interpreting in Deaf–Hearing Teams

📍 Brussels – UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles
📅 17–19 April
🗣️ With Sophie Scheidt, Vivien Fontevielle & Nicolas Hanquet

Co-interpreting in Deaf–hearing teams is an evolving and demanding area of professional interpreting practice. Effective collaboration requires clarity of roles, shared preparation, strong communication strategies, and mutual trust.

This in-person training in Brussels offers a structured, practice-based environment to deepen your skills and confidence in working within mixed Deaf–hearing interpreting teams.

Time schedule:

Friday, 17 April
13:00 – 17:00 CET

Saturday, 18 April
09:00 – 17:00 CET

Sunday, 19 April
Departure day (no training sessions planned)

The training includes intensive practical work, reflection, and collaborative exercises across the two core training days.

About trainers:

Nicolas Hanquet is a French-speaking Belgian who has been working for 12 years as a French-LSFB (Sign Language from the south of Belgium) interpreter. In October 2025, he successfully presented and defended his PhD at the University UClouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, in partnership with the University of Namur, at the research center on Language and Translation Studies (NalTT - LSFB Lab’). His research is situated in Sign Language Interpreting studies, with a particular focus on co-interpretation within mixed deaf/hearing interpreting teams.

Sophie Scheidt has been a LSF translator since 2005 and an interpreter since 2019. She is currently collaborating with Vivien Fonctivielle to enhance the complementarity between deaf and hearing interpreters. Her goal is to develop co-interpretation, promoting smooth and inclusive communication in various settings. Passionate about her work, she values teamwork in her field.

Vivien Fontvieille has been a LSF translator since 2010 and an interpreter since 2017. He is bringing co-interpretation to France after spending several months in Canada. Highly committed to his profession as a translator and interpreter, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with others in the field.

Aim of the training

The aim of this physical training is to:

• strengthen professional collaboration between Deaf and hearing interpreters
• develop shared strategies for preparation, live teamwork, and feedback
• clarify roles, decision-making processes, and responsibility in co-interpreting
• support quality, consistency, and mutual trust in interpreting teams

This training focuses on learning by doing, with space to experiment, reflect, and grow in a safe and respectful environment.

What You Will Gain

By participating, you will:

• Practice co-interpreting strategies in mixed teams
• Enhance communication before, during, and after assignments
• Explore team dynamics and professional boundaries
• Receive constructive feedback from experienced Deaf and hearing trainers
• Strengthen your professional confidence in collaborative interpreting settings

This training prioritises learning by doing, encouraging experimentation, reflection, and growth.

Who Is This Training For?

• Deaf interpreters
• Hearing interpreters
• Professionals already working in mixed Deaf–hearing teams
• Interpreters who want to develop or transition into co-interpreting practice

Participants are expected to actively engage, reflect on their own practice, and collaborate openly.

Language & Accessibility

This training is conducted fully in International Sign.

Participants must have sufficient proficiency in International Sign to actively follow and participate in the training.

No interpretation into other sign or spoken languages will be provided.

Why Attend?

Co-interpreting in Deaf–hearing teams is not just a technique - it is a professional commitment to shared responsibility, trust, and quality. This training offers a rare opportunity to work intensively with experienced Deaf and hearing trainers in a structured and supportive environment.

If you are serious about strengthening your collaborative practice and expanding your professional competence, this is the space to do it.

Places are limited to ensure meaningful interaction and feedback.
Secure your spot and invest in your professional growth.